As previously mentioned there was a further meeting between the MCA and those with interests including professional organisations and certifying authorities. Whilst there were discussions the MCA were adamant on some issues. 

No dates have been set but expect the new Sport and Pleasure code to become statute and therefore enforceable from late 2025. There is a 3 year maximum leniency, which depends on when the boats next mid, or 5 year survey expires.

Please read more information here.

Below is not guaranteed to be in the new code but don’t be surprised:

• ‘Crew’ refers to a person who is employed or engaged in a critical safety role and a ‘trainee’, is not part of a critical safety role (wording is still being tweaked on both)

• Light Workboat Certification under our code - the MCA are adamant that there will be an increase in training requirements. Effectively if you on your code vessel, take out a paid person to carry out their work, (camera crew, reporter, surveyor etc) you will be required as a crew, to have extra training levels - fire course etc. See mandatory training courses in Workboat 3 code in image below:

• A different surveyor for your vessel will be required every 10 years, so two code cycles

• Incident reporting to Certifying Authorities - basically an incident affecting the safety of the vessel, but this will be worded to cover areas of concern. It also does not take away the rule of what should be reported to

• Emergency Power Supply - it includes use of torches

• Immersion suits cat 2 temperature less than 10 degrees sea temp. Appropriate clothing guidance will be amended so that we advise what is suitable and NOT we have to supply clothing and footwear

• Portable Handheld VHF with DSC removed from our code BUT NOT from Workboat Code - so again if working on our code on workbook endorsement then yes DSC handheld required as before

• PLB requirement for crew now just recommended 

• Single Handed Operations - the set requirement as now is still required to meet a higher level of safety management and still includes the max 8 hr rule

The Administration (MCA)  does not recommend single handed operations.

Single handed operations are not permitted where:

1. a vessel is operating in area category of operation 0, 1 or 2; or

2. the duration of the voyage exceeds 8 hours; or

3. a watch system is necessary to maintain the safe navigation of the vessel;

4. a vessel is operating in conditions of restricted visibility;

5. a vessel is operating at requirements of Section 25.7; high speed and does not meet the requirements of Sec 25.7

6. the Certifying Authority deems the vessel to not be suitable for single-handed operations due to the size and arrangement of the vessel

The issue of 8 hours was discussed and is not presently clear. Concerns were raised on this area and how it will be assessed, the Department of Transport (marine comes under this) set hours for a HGV driver using a tachograph and when the driver parks up and is still on his truck the time stops, resting, eating, sleeping etc. It appears that if your vessel is moored and you are not needed in charge to ensure safety then the time would stop, but at anchor managing the position will not be seen as rest periods. There may be some clarification later but some may need to have a time sheet to show time off boat or on mooring or anchor if running single-crewed ops.

• RADAR course requirements - remain as planned if you have RADAR fitted, BUT there is an acceptance now for those who already have the RYA radar certification that will be accepted under grandfather rights. The RYA are still progressing with a new RADAR course which would be acceptable to MCA standards

• Firefighting training - draft code showed the need to complete a course if fire pumps were aboard, this is REMOVED now as planned and there WILL BE a requirement for a one day course or other courses WITHIN 5 YEARS of code signing off.  MCA believe there is a need to have a person trained, if they are taking passengers out. One person on board a vessel up to 15 metres and one crew and master 15 metres or above.  Expectation is the course will be circa £160-170.  This is a one off course 

• Stability Training - vessels that require a stability booklet then a requirement for one crew again to have been trained, possibly same as firefighting within 5 years?

• PERSON ASHORE requirement - this has been rewritten after a review and has been softened from the Dedicated Person Ashore requirement for workboat code

• IPV Code will go as planned and vessels will come under new code

• Electronic Chart Training - not fully clear of final decision level. Charter plotter manufacturers are behind the curve here and few were producing chart plotters that met the Work Boat standard on sizes etc. This will continue to develop

• Hours of Rest - there is a need to read the MLC standards here for your business and crew members/staff https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/58/pdfs/uksiod_20180058_en.pdf. Remember in the event of an incident these areas WILL come under review.

• Safety Management Systems - still under development with MCA to issue guidance documents. Real concerns for Certifying Authorities on getting staff trained and also knowing what they will have to check or actually review